While there are lots of dots on the Makers Trail across the region marking brewpubs, microbreweries, and other craft beer makers in our midst, not many can lay claim to the fame of also hosting an outstanding food menu and an onsite major event center in the heart of Michigan’s Great Southwest. One that can is the enterprise along the summer scene of the Pleasant Street Plaza known as Silver Harbor Brewing Company. Staffed by an amazing crew of associates who are not only very good at what they do, but also share an abiding love and concern for the community-at-large, Silver Harbor Brewing has skyrocketed to the forefront since bursting onto the scene six years ago. The talented kitchen team ranks side-by-side with the brewers creating international award winning craft beers, keeping the place routinely packed with eager fans exploring new options all the time. The nominator says, “Teamwork is first at Silver Harbor Brewing. Everyone feels as if they are a part of everything that is going on with the primary goal of serving our customers and one another well.” Silver Harbor is continually driven to be involved in the community, working to make it better. The mural painting on the side of the building last fall was a great addition to the community, fully-funded by Silver Harbor, and they continue to improve their buildings to create a draw to the central business district with things like the Pleasant Street Plaza in partnership with their neighbors at 221 Main. Read on for more of the great things that added up to qualify Silver Harbor as one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Southwest Michigan for 2022.
What is the name of the business you are nominating?
Silver Harbor Brewing
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
Mike Gross
Business Contact Information
Silver Harbor Brewing, 721 Pleasant Street, St Joseph, MI 49085
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
75
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
Silver Harbor Brewing Company is a great place to work. They are very good to employees, they care about community, family, and about us as individual workers. They are focused on the consumer and what’s best always. They challenge us to put out a product that is the best to keep people coming back again and again. The slogan is Beer Happy and they are definitely focused on making people happy.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
The leadership team and owners at SHBC are honest, caring and thankful for their employees. They support them through challenging times, including providing personal loans for housing support, vehicles, higher education, support through health care challenges or personal loss. They care about their staff and their customers – some of whom have become friends!
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
Teamwork is first at SHBC. Everyone feels as if they are a part of everything that is going on with the primary goal of serving our customers (and each other) well. There is pride in working at SHBC because we know the outputs we can deliver for the community! Our Yelp! Rating is super important to us and a part of our internal rewards system so we are pushing to always be the best we can be!
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Yelp! or Trip Advisor. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
Don’t hesitate to work at SHBC! Many of the staff members and managers have been with us for years because we work in a family friendly environment where you are treated and respected for the work you do! Rewards come in accolades, financial ways, and the pride in being part of a place where you are empowered to own things and do your best.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
- Honest people
- Everyone’s a team player
- Fair wages
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
Super Power One: Happiness Wins! Make People Happy and they will come back for more!
Super Power Two: Consistency – Top notch food again and again!
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? — It’s important to hear from their employees. Ownership is there every single day and they take our feedback and often times implement it.
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? — No answer given
C] Keep communications open? — They are listeners, communication flows up and down. Not just with employees but with customers too.
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
Best Beer and food!! A step above the normal, happy place.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? — They have special rewards programs they offer – spin the wheel in the summer to get gift cards/cash/prizes. Every year they have a Holiday/Team Party where the owners and GM cater to the staff. This year it was a Super Bowl event at Union and Social and they had Minute to Win It Games, gave away over $1,500 in cash & prizes to staff and of course all the food and beverages and you could bring a guest. They had current and some past staff too!
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? — They are consistently involved in the community and trying to make it better: the mural painting was a great addition to the community that was funded by SHBC. They are improving buildings by buying more and creating a draw to downtown and they partner with other business owners for unique experiences like Robert Montgomery with 221 Main for the Pleasant Street Plaza. Recently with the opening of Union and Social, their events facility, they host community events, they give back and are focused on kids in the community, and they support most of the activities/events that are happening in the area.
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? — Servant leadership is important to them! One recent more personal example; one of our most valued Mug Club Members unexpectedly passed away and SHBC owners partnered with his wife/widow and family and changed the name of his favorite beer to weave him in and celebrate his life. Come grab a pint of Bucky’s Breakfast Stout in honor of him!
Write a brief, but compelling, recruitment ad telling people about why they should come and work there, too.
You would enjoy the benefits and fun people you work with.
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
They’ve supported employees with loans to help them get by in hard times with a repayment schedule when we couldn’t have secured them on our own.
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
- Team Work – everyone has ownership of the business and we feel valued and respected
- Servant Leadership – a flat hierarchy – everyone down to the owners are willing to step in where needed, especially in the Dish Pit on Holiday weekends
- Great Benefits – Paid vacation after 1 year of service, Maternity Leave, Swag, Rewards & Recognition etc. Many places aren’t providing to hourly workers
If this is your company and you win, write the best headline ever for your company newsletter describing your successful selection to the list, and be as specific as you can about how you would celebrate the win if money were no object.
SHBC – a family friendly, team who’s ultimate goal is to deliver #1 for our customers
Tell us anything else you want about this company that you suddenly realize we haven’t asked you about, but you’re sure will be the thing that puts you squarely into the winner’s circle! (Wait a minute! Can you put a square in a circle?)
Respondent skipped this question
